Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-11-18
LAMAR and SPARKS.
Their Quarrel Can Hardly Result
Otherwise Than in Retirement
of the Land Commissioner.
Villas is So Much Opposed TO Him IS IL
Lamar-Hls RssignaIssn Looked
For at the White House,
Minister to Liberia, Home on a Two
Months Leave Not Likely to Return
SPARKS WILL HAVE TO GO.

Special to the Gazette.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 12.-The issue be-
tween Secretary Lamar and General
Sparks can result in but one way, the re-
tirement of the latter from the land office.
The fight is not one of to-day, but has
been long brewing. 1t is believed now
that the conference at the White House
yesterday between President Cleveland
and Secretary Lamar and Postmaster
General Villas was in relation to this very
subject. Mr.. Villas is opposed to the re-
tention Of General Sparks in Office snd
would naturally desire his resignation or
removal before entering upon
Ms duties as Mr.. Lamar'S successor.
This IVES probably considered at the cen
ference, and there Is little doubt that the
President was made acquainted with the
contents of Secretary Lamar,s letter il
advance of it's publication. The writing
of this letter gives Mr.. Cleveland an op-
portunity TO request the resignation OF
General Sparks, and thus make the road
clear to Mr.. Villas transfer. The Presi-
dent has generally approved the Com
mjesioner's decisions, and could not con-
sisiently dispose of his services except
upon the basis OF just such on Issue as
Mr.. Lamar's letter forces. II the two
cannot get along together, if
is plain who must be sac
rifced. Secretary Lamar had long
interview with the President this morn
ing and it is assumed that the removal Of
General SPARKS was determined upon If
MS resignation is not forthcoming. It is
stated st the White House that no CON-
munication has been received from Gen
eral Spalks. General Sparks remained
in his room to-day and saw but few
callers.
MINISTER TO LIBERIA.
Colonel Taylor of Kansas, the colored
gentleman who represents the United
States government as minister to Liberia,
called at the White House yesterday. but
f,iled to see the President. Mr. Taylor
is now enjoying two months leave Of
absence and he talks as If at the
end Of that vacation he is
likely to decide that he does not care to
return 10 Liberia. Said he yesterday:
81 have submitted @ report Of lis pages
20 the State Department, and it beats
anything that Mark Twain ever wrote,
because what saw be&ss anything that
Mark Twain ever saw. Liberis is g sight
for gods aud men. Why,n said be
"rhere is not horse, or cow, or 8
mule, or useful animal OF
shy kind; not single car
Or cart, or even wheelbarrow
in the whole republic; but tell you they
are organized. They're great on organi-
zatlon-in Liberia. They have much
bigger cabinet than the cabinet Of Presi-
de0t Cleveland. Ever military company
ia the army has about twenty seven eff
GERS anu two or three privstes. There
are little over 1000 voters in the Repub-
lie and fully one-hat OF them sre Ctice,
holders.
SPARKS SUCCESSOR,
WASHINGTON, Nov. 12.-Phere is little
doubt that the President was advised thai
Secretsry Lamar would send TO Lsud
Commissioner Sparks the letter published
tais morning before it was delivered
Colonel Lamont says the action Of Secre-
tary Lamar was kn0Wn &C the White
House yesterday evening. TIE belief Is
that Mr.. SpEIks will tender his resign2-
tiop, and that Nj. Villas, upon assuming
the duties OF Secretary of the Interior, on
LsmaI's promotion to the Supreme court,
will prefer to sppoint his Commissioner
Of tee Land Office. In fsct, Mr.. Bryant,
Assistant Attorney General for the Posi-
Office Department, q friend of MI. Viias,
is already named as the successor Of
M. Sparks. The latter is con-
iaed TO his bed with chtIls
AID fever, from which he has been sIff5r-
lag same dsys. He viii receive no one,
8 his views cannot be ascertained. The
letter was, however, delivered to him
last night.
Secretary Lamar, during sn interview
with & reporter. to-day, said that In view
of the published statement that his letter
to Commissioner Sparks had been sub
mitted to the President before it was sent
to the Commissioner, he wished to SAP
that neither the President Nor sny mem
ber OF the Cabinet, indeed, had seen it OF
had any knowledge of Sparks letter OF
his reply thereto until it was handed the
President last evening. The Secretary
wishes this statement to be made public
IN justice to all concerned.
LAMAR SPARKS CONTROVERSY.
Special TO the Gazette.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 14.-General Sparks
was at his Office this morning. a number
Of reporters and correspondents called on
him, but to most of them he denied an
audience. To your correspondent he
said he had nothing for the press, that he
was sick man and by the advice of his
physicians he could not talk. It WAS evil
dent that the General will reply to the
Secretary's letter, but he mas not yet hsd
time to prepare an answer. The question
at issue, aside from all personal consider
ations, involves the selection of indemnity
lands by land grant railroads.
Shall they be entitled to the fall area
called for in their original grants. find it
where they may, or must the selections be
made within the indemnity belts7 Gener-
al SPARKS sustsins the latter view, that
the roads must go without the lands, IN
less they can be found inside the lines
fixed by law. The contrary policy will
put thousands of ceres into the hands OF
the corporations that have hitherto been
reserved for settlement. General Sparks
will doubtless state his position
fully in his reply TO Mr.. Lamar
Secretary Lsmsr would say nothing when
esea. ALI day long, however, his cfice
WIS tilled wish politicians aud others VINO
ssid they were glad be had taken this
stand. The general opinion is that Mr.
Lamar is right.
POSTMASTER GENERAL REPORT.
One OF The features Of the Postmaster
Generals report, which is now nearly
completed, will be the statement that tie |
Department by the end of next year will !
probably be self-supporting. The deficit |
has been lessened nearly $4,000, 900 DUR
ing toe year. and with continued In
crease in the revenues which last year
q fo shnr< IN ms no~&